11 things we know you’ll love about Non-League Football

Non-league football is, in some circles seen as a bit of a magnet for anoraks not too far removed from train spotters and real ale enthusiasts.

It has in some respects a well earned reputation for the quirky grounds to managers washing the team kit and a collection of footballing stereotypes from the lumbering centre-back and the hatchet midfielder to the lazy striker.

That might be true in some cases, but at its best grass roots football is a passionate end to end affair – perhaps lacking in technical quality but making up for it in effort and a serious will to win.

Going to a non-league game opens you up to a world of unique footballing experiences no longer available at your average Football or Premier League match day.

7. Turnstiles that require you to warm up

These proper turnstiles are a welcome feature of non-league grounds up and down the country. You usually have to have completed a 3 week fitness programme in order to push your way through. Alternatively consider where the turnstile came from, it could be famous!

8. Standing!

The ancient dark art of standing at a football match is alive and well in non-league football. It’s no ‘yellow wall’ but you just can’t beat the freedom of movement (and lack of forcing 20 spectators to stand up while you shuffle past because you need a piss 33 minutes into the game).

Who we are

FootballinBracknell is Tom Canning and Darrell Freeland.

Better known as TC and Dudley, the pair spent nearly 10 years running and contributing to bracknelltownfc.com and have struck out on their own covering football in Bracknell and the surrounding areas, from Semi Pro to Sunday League. You can read more about us here.